ABB wins key contract to electrify new Norwegian hybrid car ferry

11 April 2016, (Zurich, Swizterland) – ABB establishing itself as market leading provider of power systems for electric and hybrid ferries

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, will supply the power system for a hybrid car ferry serving an important passenger route in Norway. Designed with flexibility in mind, the vessel will run as a hybrid but can be modified to run as a full electric ferry with shore charging system. The order is another success for ABB in northern Europe, where regulation is causing passenger ship operators to look at green solutions.

“This is another example of how ABB is at the forefront of energy storage solutions for the maritime industry,” says Sindre Sætre, ABB’s Director of Marine and Ports in Norway. “Ship and ferry owners across the Nordic region and Scandinavia realize ABB has flexible power systems for electric vessels.”

This news comes only months after ABB secured the order to supply the power system for the iconic Seasight battery sightseeing ferry, which will serve the UNESCO listed Nærøyfjord.

The centrepiece of ABB’s scope of supply is the Onboard DC Grid system, the award winning power distribution system. It is a modular electrical system platform that makes use of direct current to connect energy sources with consumers. This greatly simplifies the integration of energy storage, in this case two 270 kWh battery packs, and allows the engines to operate more efficiently at variable speed. This helps create significant energy and emissions savings. The batteries will be used for “peak shaving”, meaning the batteries will help meet the power demand, thus allowing the generators to work at a more optimal level. The owner Torghatten Trafikkselskap will have the option of adding another sixteen battery packs and a shore connection in order to operate the vessel fully electric.

“Energy storage has been one of the most important areas of focus for our research and development team,” said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB’s Marine and Ports. “We recognize batteries have an important role to play on a range of vessels and is technology for the present as well as the future.”

ABB’s power system is part of the total electric system which is being supplied by Acel. The so-called MM63 ferry, designed by Multi Maritime will be built by Fiskarstrand Verft in western Norway. The ferry will have a capacity of 60 cars and 250 passengers.

About ABB

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility, industry, and transport & infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.